Regulated conversion system



Sept. 13, 1966 D. H. SCHUSTER REGULATED CONVERSION SYSTEM Filed July 16, 1962 //Vl/E/VTOR DOA/4L0 H fie H0570? A T TOP/V5 V5 United States Patent 3,273,040 REGULATED CONVERSION SYSTEM Donald H. Schuster, 548 Forest Drive SE., Cedar Rapids, Iowa Filed July 16, 1962, Ser. No. 210,039 Claims. (CI. 321-2) This invention relates to high voltage regulators and more particularly to an electric transformer having an adjustable high voltage regulator circuit that demonstrates substantially zero power loss.

Early transformer circuits for converting a low voltage direct current to a high voltage alternating current generally had no means for regulating the current derived therefrom. Later transfiormers regulated the voltage by means of a rhe'ostat disposed in the output circuit and/ or the input circuit, but circuits having a relatively great power loss, create too much heat, allow power surge to go relatively unchecked, and are too bulky for present day applications.

Recent inroads into the micro-miniaturization of transformers make use of transistors as power amplifiers, but at the present time such systems are of too complex a circuit, have a relatively wide voltage fluctuation, are too bulky, and still have too large a power loss.

Therefore, one of the principal objects of my invention is to provide an electric transformer having an adjustable voltage regulator circuit that demonstrates substantially zero power loss.

A further object of this invention is to provide a transformer of the above type that has a very simple circuit arrangement.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an electric trans-former having an adjustable voltage regulator circuit that is easily adapted to micro-miniature form.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an electric transformer having an adjustable voltage regulator circuit that has a low voltage fluctuation.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an electric transformer that generates relatively little byproduct heat.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an electric transformer having an adjustable voltage regulator circuit that obviates the problems attendant with power surge.

Still further objects of my invention are to provide an electric transformer having an adjustable voltage regulator circuit that is economical in manufacture and durable in use.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

My invention consists in the construction, arrangements, and combination, of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which The sole figure is a diagrammatic showing of the circuit and elements associated therewith.

In the drawing, I have utilized the numeral 10 to generally designate a relatively low voltage direct current power source, such as a battery or the like. The numerals 12 and 14 generally designate the positive and negative terminals, respectively, of the D.C. power source 10.

The numeral 16 generally designates a power transistor of the PNP type having an emitter electrode 18, a base electrode 20, and a collector electrode 22.

The numeral 24 generally designates a second power transistor of the PNP type having an emitter electrode 3,273,040 Patented Sept. 13, 1966 26, a base electrode 28, and a collector electrode 30. As will be seen in the drawing, the emitter electrodes 18 and 26 are operatively connected to the positive terminal 12 of the DC. power source 10.

The numeral 32 generally designates an inverter transformer having a primary input winding 34, a bias input Winding 36, a secondary (output) winding 38. The collector electrode 22 of the transistor 16 is operatively connected to one end of the winding 34 and the collector electrode 30 of the transistor 24 is operatively connected to the other end of the winding 34. The middle area of the winding 34 is operatively connected to the negative terminal 14 of the power source 10. An on-ofli switch 35 of any suitable type may be imposed in the circuit connecting the winding 34 to the negative terminal 14. The base electrode 20 of the transistor 16 is operatively connected to one end of the bias winding 36 and the base electrode 28 of the transistor 24 is operatively connected to the other end of the bias winding 36. The middle area of the bias winding 36 is operatively connected to the circuit extending between the switch 35 and the Winding 34 and is thereby operatively connected to the negative terminal 14 of the power source 10. Imposed in this circuit extending from the bias winding 36 to the circuit leading into the negative terminal 14 is the tension switch 38', which is adjusted by means of its tension adjusting setscrew means 40, and a bias resistor 42.

The winding 38 of the transformer 32 has a high voltage output which is carried to a load by means of a positive lead 44 being operatively connected to one end of the winding 38 and a negative lead 46 being operatively connected to the other end of the winding 38.

An electro strictive capacitor, hereinafter referred to as a capadyne and generally designated by the numeral 48 is operatively connected across the leads 44 and 46. A filter capacitor 50 is operatively connected across the leads 44 and 46 at a location between the winding 38 and the capadyne 48. And a rectifier 52 is operatively imposed in the positive lead 44 at a location between the Winding 38 and the filter capacitor 50, as shown in the drawing.

The tension switch 38' is operatively connected to the capadyne 48 in such a manner that the flexations thereof will actuate the switch 38' on and off.

The operation of my device is as follows:

'In operation, a high-voltage square-wave AG. is induced in the secondary (output) winding 38 of the transformer 32. The high voltage output is rectified by means of the rectifier 52 and filtered by means of the filter capacitor 50. This is also applied to the capadyne 48 and then, of course, passes on to the load. A capadyne element has the property that when a voltage is applied to it, it will flex in proportion to the magnitude of the voltage, produce a torque, and will rotate about one of its ends. Thus, when the voltage is passed across the capadyne 48 becomes sufiiciently high, the capadyne 48 will flex in such a manner that the movable contact of the switch 38', which is normally closed, will move away from its contact that is adjusted by the setscrew 40 and open the circuit operatively connecting the bias winding 36 to the negative terminal 14 of the power source 10, thereby shutin-g off the bias circuit. As the load voltage decreases, the capadyne 48 reduces its flexation which operatively closes the switch 38', thereby enabling further oscillation and subsequent high voltage buildup.

The output voltage may be adjusted by changing the setting of the setscrew 40 which, in efiect, changes the distance of movement of the contacts of the switch 38' at which the connection therebetween is broken.

It should be noted that the high voltage circuit itself is not broken and thus there is no power lOss thereacross.

What is operatively controlled, however, is the low voltage bias current or drive current to the power transistors 16 and 24.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of my regulated conversion system without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included included within their scope.

I claim:

1. An adjustable regulated conversion system, comprising, in combination,

an electric power source having positive and negative terminals,

a transformer comprised of a primary input winding,

a bias input winding and an output winding,

- a first power transistor having an emitter electrode, a

'base electrode, and a collector electrode,

a second power transistor having an emitter electrode,

a base electrode, and a collector electrode,

said emitter electrode of said two power transistors operatively connected to said positive terminal of said power source,

said collector electrode of said first power transistor operatively connected to one end of said primary input winding and said collector electrode of said sec-nd power transistor operatively connected to the other end of said primary input winding,

said base electrode of said first power transistor operatively connected to one end of said bias input winding and said base electrode of said second power transistor operatively connected to the other end of said bias input winding,

the middle areas of said primary input winding and said bias input winding operatively connected to said negative terminal of said power source by suitable circuit means,

a switch means imposed in said circuit connecting said bias winding to said negative terminal,

a positive lead extending from one end of said output winding and a negative lead extending from the other end of said output winding,

a rectifier means connected to said output winding,

an electrostrictive capacitor means operatively connected across said positive and negative leads of said output winding, and

said switch means imposed in said circuit connecting said bias winding to said negative terminal of said power source being operatively actuated open and closed by the flexations of said electrostrictive capacitor.

2. An adjustable regulated conversion system, comprising, in combination,

an electric power source having positive and negative terminals,

a transformer comprised of a primary input winding,

a bias input winding and an output winding,

a first power transistor having an emitter electrode, a

base electrode, and a collector electrode,

a second power transistor having an emitter electrode,

a base electrode, and a collector electrode,

sain emitter electrode of said two power transistors operatively connected to said positive terminal of said power source,

said collector electrode of said first power transistor operatively connected to one end of said primary input winding and said collector electrode of said second power transistor operatively connected to the other end of said primary input winding,

said base electrode of said first power transistor operatively connected to one end of said bias input winding and said base electrode of said second power transistor operatively connected to the other end of said bias input winding,

the middle areas of said primary input winding and said bias input winding operatively connected to said negative terminal of said power source by suitable circuit means,

a switch means imposed in said circuit connecting said bias winding to said negative terminal,

a positive lead extending from one end of said output winding and a negative lead extending from the other end of said output winding,

a rectifier means connected to said output winding,

an electrostrictive capacitor means operatively connected across said positive and negative leads of said output winding, and

said switch means imposed in said circuit connecting said bias winding to said negative terminal of said power source being operatively actuated open and closed by the fiexations of said electrostrictive capacitor;

said switch means imposed in said circuit connecting said bias winding to said negative terminal defined as the tension type and having a tension adjustment means.

3. An adjustable regulated conversion system, comprising, in combination,

an electric power source having positive and negative terminals,

a transformer comprised of a primary input winding,

a bias input winding and an output winding,

a first power transistor having an emitter electrode, a

base electrode, and a collector electrode,

a second power transistor having an emitter electrode,

a base electrode, and a collector electrode,

said emitter electrode of said two power transistors operatively connected to said positive terminal of said power source,

said collector electrode of said first power transistor operatively connected to one end of said primary in'put winding and said collector electrode of said second power transistor operatively connected to the other end of said primary input winding,

said base electrode of said first power transistor operatively connected to one end of said bias input winding and said base electrode of said second power transistor operatively connected to the other end of said bias input winding,

the middle areas of said primary input winding and said bias input winding operatively connected to said negative terminal of said power source by suitable circuit means,

a switch means imposed in said circuit connecting said bias winding to said negative terminal,

a positive lead extending from one end of said output winding and a negative lead extending from the other end of said output winding,

a rectifier means connected to said output winding,

an electrostrictive capacitor means operatively connected across said positive and negative leads of said output winding, and

said switch means imposed in said circuit connecting said bias winding to said negative terminal of said power source being operatively actuated open and closed by the flexations of said electrostrictive capacitor;

said switch means imposed in said circuit connecting said bias winding to said negative terminal defined as the tension type and having a tension adjustment means;

said electrostrictive capacitor defined as a capadyne.

4. An adjustable regulated conversion system, comprising, in combination,

an electric power source having positive and negative terminals, 7

a transformer comprised of a primary input winding, a bias input winding and an output winding,

a first power transistor having an emitter electrode, a

base electrode, and a collector electrode,

a second power transistor having an emitter electrode,

a base electrode, and a collector electrode,

said emitter electrode of said two power transistors operatively connected to said positive terminal of said power source,

said collector electrode of said first power transistor operatively connected to one end of said primary input winding and said collector electrode of said second power transistor operatively connected to the other end of said primary input winding,

said base electrode of said first power transistor operatively connected to one end of said bias input winding and said base electrode of said second power transistor operatively connected to the other end of said bias input winding,

the middle areas of said primary input winding and said bias input winding operatively connected to said negative terminal of said power source by suitable circuit means,

a switch means imposed in said circuit connecting said bias winding to said negative terminal,

a positive lead extending from one end of said output winding and a negative lead extending from the other end of said output winding,

a rectifier means connected to said output winding,

an electrostrictive capacitor means operatively connected across said positive and negative leads of said output winding, and

said switch means imposed in said circuit connecting said bias winding to said negative terminal of said power source being operatively actuated open and closed by the fiexations of said electrostrictive capacitor;

said switch means imposed in said circuit connecting said bias winding to said negative terminal defined as the tension type and having a tension adjustment means;

said electrostatic capacitor defined as a capadyne;

a filter capacitor operatively connected across said positive and negative lead of said output winding and located between said capadyne and said output winding.

5. An adjustable regulated conversion system, comprising, in combination, 4

an electric power source having positive and negative terminals,

a transformer comprised of a primary input winding, a

bias input winding and an output winding,

a first power transistor having an emitter electrode, a

base electrode, and a collector electrode,

a second power transistor having an emitter electrode,

a base electrode, and a collector electrode,

said emitter electrode of said two power transistors operatively connected to said positive terminal of said power source,

said collector electrode of said first power transistor operatively connected to one end of said primary input winding and said collector electrode of said second power transistor operatively connected to the other end of said primary input winding,

said base electrode of said first power transistor operatively connected to one end of said bias input winding and said base electrode of said second power transistor operatively connected to the other end of said 'bias input winding,

the middle areas of said primary input winding and said bias input winding operatively connected to said negative terminal of said power source by suitable circuit means,

a switch means imposed in said circuit connecting said bias winding to said negative terminal,

a positive lead extending from one end of said output winding and a negative lead extending from the other end of said output winding,

an electrostrictive capacitor means operatively conne'cted across said positive and negative leads of said output winding, and

said switch means imposed in said circuit connecting said bias winding to said negative terminal of said power source being operatively actuated open and closed by the flexations of said electrostrictive capacitor;

said switch means imposed in said circuit connecting said bias winding to said negative terminal defined as the tension type and having a tension adjustment means;

said electrostrictive capacitor defined as a capadyne;

a filter capacitor operatively connected across said positive and negative lead of said output winding and located between said capadyne and said output winding;

a rectifier means imposed in said positive lead of said output winding and located between said filter capacitor and said output winding.

6. An adjustable regulated conversion system, comprising, in combination,

an electric power source having positive and negative terminals,

a transformer comprised of a primary input winding,

a bias input winding and an output winding,

a first power transistor having an emitter electrode, a

base electrode, and a collector electrode,

a second power transistor having an emitter electrode,

a base electrode, and a collector electrode,

said emitter electrode of said two power transistors operatively connected to said positive terminal of said power source,

said collect-or electrode of said first power transistor operatively connected to one end of said primary input winding and said collector electrode of said second power transistor operatively connected to the other end of said primary input winding.

said base electrode of said first power transistor operatively connected to one end of said bias input winding and said base electrode of said second power transistor operatively connected to the other end of said bias input winding,

the middle areas of said primary input winding and said bias input winding operatively connected to said negative terminal of said power source by suitable circuit means,

a switch means imposed in said circuit connecting said bias winding to said negative terminal,

a positive lead extending from one end of said output winding and a negative lead extending from the other end of said output winding,

an electrostrictive capacitor means operatively connected across said positive and negative leads of said output winding, and

said switch means imposed in said circuit connecting said bias winding to said negative terminal of said power source being operatively actuated open and closed by the fiexations of said electrostrictive capacitor;

said switch means imposed in said circuit connecting said bias winding to said negative terminal defined as the tension type and having a tension adjustment means;

said electrostrictive capacitor defined as a capadyne;

a filter capacitor operatively connected across said positive and negative lead of said out-put winding and located between said capadyne and said output winda rectifier means imposed in said positive lead of said output winding and located between said filter capacitor and said output winding;

a bias resistor imposed in the circuit connecting said bias winding to said negative terminal of said power source.

7. An adjustable regulated conversion system, comprising, in combination,

an electric power source having positive and negative terminals,

a transformer comprised of a primary input winding, a

bias input winding and an output winding,

a first power transistor having an emitter electrode, a

base electrode, and a collector electrode,

a second power transistor having an emitter electrode,

a base electrode, and a collector electrode,

said emitter electrode of said two power transistors operatively connected to said positive terminal of said power source,

said collector electrode of said first power transistor operatively connected to one end of said primary input winding and said collector electrode of said second power transistor operatively connected to the other end of said primary input winding,

said base electrode of said first power transistor operatively connected to one end of said bias input winding and said base electrode of said second power transistor operatively connected to the other end of said bias input winding,

the middle areas of said primary input winding and said bias input winding operatively connected to said negative terminal of said power source by suitable circuit means,

a switch means imposed in said circuit connecting said bias winding to said negative terminal,

a positive lead extending from one end of said output winding and a negative lead extending from the other end of said output winding,

an electrostrictive capacitor means operatively connected across said positive and negative leads of said output winding, and

said switch means imposed in said circuit connecting said bias winding to said negative terminal of said power source being operatively actuated open and closed by the flexations of said electrostrictive capacitor;

said switch means imposed in said circuit connecting said bias winding to said negative terminal defined as the tension type and having a tension adjustment means;

said electrostrictive capacitor defined as a capadyne;

a filter capacitor operatively connected across said positive and negative lead of said output winding and located between said capadyne and said output winda rectifier means imposed in said positive lead of said output winding and located between said filter capacitor and said output winding;

a bias resistor imposed in the circuit connecting said bias winding to said negative terminal of said power source;

a manually operable on-off switch operatively connectively imposed between said negative terminal of said power source and the circuits leading thereinto.

8. An adjustable regulated conversion system, comprising, in combination,

an electric power source having positive and negative terminals,

a transformer comprised of a primary input winding, a

bias input winding and an output winding,

a first power transistor having an emitter electrode, a

base electrode, and a collector electrode,

a second power transistor having an emitter electrode, a

base electrode, and a collector electrode,

said emitter electrode of said two power transistors operatively connected to said positive terminal of said power source,

said collector electrode of said first power transistor operatively one end of said primary input winding and said collector electrode of said second power transistor operatively connected to the other end of said primary input winding,

said base electrode of said first power transistor operatively connected to one end of said bias input winding and said base electrode of said second power transistor operatively connected to the other end of said bias input winding,

the middle areas of said primary input winding and said bias input winding operatively connected to said negative terminal of said power source by suitable circuit means,

a switch means imposed in said circuit connecting said bias winding to said negative terminal,

a positive lead extending from one end of said output Winding and a negative lead extending from the other end of said output winding,

a rectifier means connected to said output winding,

an electrostrictive capacitor means operatively connected across said positive and negative leads of said output winding, and

said switch means imposed in said circuit connecting said bias winding to said negative terminal of said power source being operatively actuated open and closed by the flexations of said electrostrictive capacitor;

said power transistors being of the PNP type.

9. An adjustable regulated conversion system, comprising, in combination,

an electric power source having positive and negative terminals,

a transformer comprised of a primary input winding, a

bias input winding and an output winding,

a first power transistor having an emitter electrode, a

base electrode, and a collector electrode,

a second power transistor having an emitter electrode,

a base electrode, and a collector electrode,

said emitter electrode of said two power transistors operatively connected to said positive terminal of said power source,

said collector electrode of said first power transistor operatively connected to one end of said primary input winding and said collector electrode of said second power transistor operatively connected to the other end of said primary input winding,

said base electrode of said first power transistor operatively connected to one end of said bias input winding and said base electrode of said second power transistor operatively connected to the other end of said bias input winding,

the middle areas of said primary input winding and said bias input winding operatively connected to said negative terminal of said power source by suitable circuit means,

a switch means imposed in said circuit connecting said bias winding to said negative terminal,

a positive lea-d extending from one end of said output winding and a negative lead extending from the other end of said output winding,

an electrostrictive capacitor means operatively connected across said positive and negative leads of said output winding, and

said switch means imposed in said circuit connecting said bias winding to said negative terminal of said power source being operatively actuated open and closed by the flexations of said electrostrictive capacitor;

said switch means imposed in said circuit connecting said bias winding to said negative terminal defined as the tension type and having a tension adjustment means;

said electrostrictive capacitor defined as a capadyne;

a filter capacitor operatively connected across said positive and negative lead of said output winding and located between said capadyne and said output win-ding;

a rectifier means imposed in said positive lead of said output winding and located between said filter capacitor and said output winding;

a bias resistor imposed in the circuit connecting said bias winding to said negative terminal of said power source;

said power transistors being of the PNP type.

10. In a transistor regulated conversion circuit, comprising,

a transistor inverter circuit having a bias circuit and an output circuit, and a switch in said bias circuit,

and an electrostrictive capacitor connected across the output of said output circuit, said electrostrictive capacitor operatively connected to said bias circuit switch to open and close said bias circuit as the output voltage across said electrostrictive capacitor moves above and below a predetermined valve.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,956,240 10/1960 Englund 321-45 X 5 3,012,181 12/1961 Schultz 321-2 3,171,077 2/1965 Murphy et a1 3212 JOHN F. COUCH, Primary Examiner.

LLOYD MCCOLLUM, Examiner.

10 A. I. GAIARSA, W. E. RAY, Assistant Examiners. 

10. IN A TRANSISTOR REGULATED CONVERSION CIRCUIT, COMPRISING, A TRANSISTOR INVERTER CIRCUIT HAVING A BIAS CIRCUIT AND AN OUTPUT CIRCUIT, AND A SWITCH IN SAID BIAS CIRCUIT, AND AN ELECTROSTRICTIVE CAPACITOR CONNECTED ACROSS THE OUTPUT OF SAID OUTPUT CIRCUIT, SAID ELECTROSTRICTIVE CAPACITOR OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID BIAS CIRCUIT SWITCH TO OPEN AND CLOSE SAID BIAS CIRCUIT AS THE OUTPUT VOLTAGE ACROSS SAID ELECTROSTRICTIVE CAPACITOR MOVES ABOVE AND BELOW A PREDETERMINED VALVE. 